7 Recipes You Can Make in Your Blender that Aren’t Smoothies

My blender is one of the most frequently-used appliances in my kitchen. While I have to admit that most mornings I use it to whip up a fruit smoothie and run out the door, blenders can do so much more than just blend fruit, yogurt, and ice. The Test Kitchen loves using the Hamilton Beach® single-serve blender to mix homemade marinades, sauces, and salad dressings. You can even use your standard blender to make everything from blended soups to ice cream to whole juice. Throwing a party? Use it to crush ice for cocktails or homemade snow cones or to make a quick dip. If you reserve most of your blending for smoothies and protein shakes, read this list and get inspired to use the blender for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Blenders (like food processors) are helpful when you need to make a quick dip or appetizer. Make this refreshing tzatziki in minutes using your blender and serve with cucumbers and pita bread at a dinner party or use to top greek burgers this summer.

Control the ingredients (specifically salt and sugar) in your salad dressing by skipping the store-bought varieties and making your own in the blender. We love the Test Kitchen’s honey poppy seed vinaigrette and creamy Caesar dressing recipes.

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t necessarily need a juicer to make fresh juice at home. Juicers remove pulp from fruits and vegetables – but the pulp is NOT removed when blending. To make a whole juice, simply blend the ingredients without removing the pulp. Try our tangy apple cider vinegar detox juice.